Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) as potential resuscitation factors that promote the isolation and culture of uncultured bacteria in marine sediments.

Many marine bacteria are difficult to culture because they are dormant, rare or found in low-abundances. Enrichment culturing has been widely tested as an important strategy to isolate rare or dormant microbes. However, many more mechanisms remain uncertain. Here, based on 16S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing and metabolomics technology, it was found that the short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in metabolites were significantly correlated with uncultured bacterial groups during enrichment cultures. A pure culture analysis showed that the addition of SCFAs to media also resulted in high efficiency for the isolation of uncultured strains from marine sediments. As a result, 238 strains belonging to 10 phyla, 26 families and 82 species were successfully isolated. Some uncultured rare taxa within Chlorobi and Kiritimatiellaeota were successfully cultured. Amongst the newly isolated uncultured microbes, most genomes, e.g. bacteria, possess SCFA oxidative degradation genes, and these features might aid these microbes in better adapting to the culture media. A further resuscitation analysis of a viable but non-culturable (VBNC) Marinilabiliales strain verified that the addition of SCFAs could break the dormancy of Marinilabiliales in 5 days, and the growth curve test showed that the SCFAs could shorten the lag phase and increase the growth rate. Overall, this study provides new insights into SCFAs, which were first studied as resuscitation factors in uncultured marine bacteria. Thus, this study can help improve the utilisation and excavation of marine microbial resources, especially for the most-wanted or key players. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42995-023-00187-w.

Mechanism of crocin compounds from Gardenia jasminoides in Zhejiang Province by network pharmacology / 中草药

Objective: To investigate the pharmacological mechanism of the crocin compounds from Gardenia jasminoides in Zhejiang Province by using network pharmacology. To provide a valuable research strategy for the rational use and in-depth research and development of G. jasminoides from Zhejiang. Methods: Our previous research results showed that the Zhejiang area of Gardenia crocin content and other areas have significant difference. Based on the results, the crocin compounds from G. jasminoides were used to predict the targets according to Pubchem, Uniprot, STITCH, SWISS, and TCMSP online databases. Cytoscape software was used to construct compound-target-disease network of the G. jasminoides crocin ingredients. The targets were analyzed by Gene ontology (GO) enrichment and KEGG pathway analysis using CTD online analysis platform to analyze main biological pathways for obtaining the deep mechanism of G. jasminoides in Zhejiang. Results: The crocin compounds from G. jasminoides in Zhejiang Province were obtained through previous work and network pharmacology screening, such as crocin-1 and crocin-2, and 18 corresponding targets were acted, such as FGF2, VEGFA, KDR, and FLT1. These targets could joint in pathways, such as GPCR, Rap1, and Ras signaling pathway. These ingredients are mainly used to treat 18 related diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, tumors and digestive system. Conclusion: The method based on system pharmacology could help to find the key targets of characteristic high-content chemical constituents of herb from different producing areas, signaling pathway and disease network of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and provide useful information and data support for giving a further study on TCM resources in different regions of China.

Ginnalin A from Kujin tea (Acer tataricum subsp. ginnala) exhibits a colorectal cancer chemoprevention effect via activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.

Ginnalin A (also known as acertannin) is one of the most important phenolic compounds of several beverage Acer plants. In this study, it is reported for the first time that ginnalin A is an activator of the Nrf2 signaling pathway in human colon cancer cells. Ginnalin A, isolated from the leaves of Acer tataricum subsp. ginnala, exhibited promising preventive activity against colon cancer cells (HCT116, SW480 and SW620) with IC50 values of 24.8 µM, 22.0 µM and 39.7 µM, respectively. In addition, it significantly reduced the colony formation of these cells. Flow cytometry analysis indicated that ginnalin A suppressed cancer proliferation via the induction of cell cycle arrest at the S-phase. Real time PCR analysis demonstrated that ginnalin A can upregulate the mRNA expression levels of Nrf2-related antioxidant genes Nrf2, HO-1 and NQO1. Western blotting analysis revealed that ginnalin A promoted the Nrf2 nuclear translocation and upregulated the proteins Nrf2, HO-1 and NQO1. Moreover, the upregulation of p62 and the inhibition of Keap1 were also found by Western blotting analysis. Therefore, the activation of the Nrf2 signaling pathway was probably induced through the upregulation of p62 and the inhibition of Keap1.

Effect of particulate matter 2.5 at urban centre of Hangzhou on lung impairment in rats / 中国应用生理学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the effect of ambient particle matter 2.5 (PM2.5) collected in the urban center of Hangzhou on the lung injury of rats and on the activating of endoplasmic reticulum pathway.@*METHODS@#PM2.5 samples were collected on quartz fiber filters using a PM2.5 high-volume air sampler in the urban area of Hangzhou. The collected PM2.5 particles were extracted in ultrapure water and concentrated by vacuum freeze-drying. Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawly (SD) rats were randomly divided into 3 groups:saline control group, low dose PM2.5 exposure group (5 mg/kg BW) and high dose PM2.5 exposure groups (25 mg/kg BW). Each group received intratracheal instillation of PM2.5, once a week for 4 weeks. Twenty-four hours after the last exposure, the rats were narcotized and sacrificed, left lung was isolated and fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde for histopathological detection. The bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected from the right lung. The total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) level, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) in BALF were detected by chemical colorimetry. The level of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) cytokines in BALF was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). And the protein expressions of glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), phosphorylated protein kinase receptor-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (p-PERK), phosphorylated eukaryotic translation initiation factor (p-eIF2α), transcription factors C/EBP homologue protein (CHOP), inositol-requiring enzyme 1α (IRE1α) and X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1) in lung tissue were determined by Western blotting.@*RESULTS@#Compared with control group, rats in both low dose (5 mg/kg) and high dose (25 mg/kg) PM2.5-treated groups showed obviously dose-dependent pulmonary toxicity including thickening of alveolar walls, narrowing of alveolar space, interstitial hyperplasia and inflammatory cell infiltration. Compared with control group, T-AOC level and the SOD activity in BALF in both PM2.5-treated groups were decreased dose-dependently (<0.05), whereas the LDH activity in BALF were increased in a dose-dependent manner (<0.05). Exposure to PM2.5 resulted in a increasing of the release of proinflammatory cytokines including TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in rat lung in a dose-dependent manner (<0.05). The levels of GRP78, p-PERK, p-eIF2α, CHOP, IRE1α and spliced XBP1 (XBP1-S) were significantly up-regulated, whereas the level of unspliced XBP1 (XBP1-U) was down-regulated in the rat lung tissue of high-dose PM2.5 treated group.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The PM2.5 in the urban area of Hangzhou can significantly cause lung inflammatory injury in rats. Both oxidative stress and activation of ER stress pathways may be related to such PM2.5 inhalation-induced lung inflammatory injury.

Optimize concentrate process of alkaloid from Leonurus japonicus by ultrafultration-nanofiltration coupling technology / 中国中药杂志

To optimize the concentrate process of alkaloid from Leonurus japonicus by nanofiltration-ultrafiltration coupling technology with response surface methodology. The experiment showed that after ultrafiltration pre-treatment, the total protein removal rate was 94.38% in aqueous extract from L. japonicus, and the nanofiltration technology had obvious advantages over the conventional concentrate process. The optimal concentrate conditions were as follows：molecular weight cut-off 450, pH 3.07, concentration of stachydrine hydrochloride 80.15 mg•L⁻¹, and concentration of the total alkaloid 285.73 mg•L⁻¹. The cut-off rate was 93.37% and 95.85% respectively for stachydrine hydrochloride and the total alkaloid under the optimum conditions, with a relative error of 0.79% and 1.16% respectively. The combination of Box-Behnken design and response surface analysis can well optimize the concentrate process of L. japonicus by nanofiltration, and the results provide the basis for nanofiltration concentrate for heat-sensitive traditional Chinese medicine.

Protective effects of Huanglian Wendan Decoction aganist cognitive deficits and neuronal damages in rats with diabetic encephalopathy by inhibiting the release of inflammatory cytokines and repairing insulin signaling pathway in hippocampus / 中国天然药物

Huanglian Wendan decoction (HLWDD) has been used for the treatment of symptom of "Re", one of major causes in diabetes and metabolic disorders, according to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine. The present study aimed at investigating the cerebral protective effects of HLWDD on diabetic encephalopathy (DE), one of the major diabetic complications. The effects of HLWDD and metformin were analyzed in the streptozocin (STZ) + high-glucose-fat (HGF) diet-induced DE rats by gastric intubation. In the present study, the effects of HLWDD on cognition deficits were investigated after 30-day intervention at two daily dose levels (3 and 6 g·kg). To explore the potential mechanisms underlying the effects of HLWDD, we detected the alterations of neuronal damages, inflammatory cytokines, and impaired insulin signaling pathway in hippocampus of the DE rats. Based on our results from the present study, we concluded that the protective effects of HLWDD against the cognitive deficits and neuronal damages through inhibiting the release of inflammatory cytokines and repairing insulin signaling pathway in hippocampus of the DE rats.

Investigation methodology and application on scientific and technological personnel of traditional Chinese medical resources based on data from Chinese scientific research paper / 中国中药杂志

The aim of this study is to identify the present status of the scientific and technological personnel in the field of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) resource science. Based on the data from Chinese scientific research paper, an investigation regarding the number of the personnel, the distribution, their output of paper, their scientific research teams, high-yield authors and high-cited authors was conducted. The study covers seven subfields of traditional Chinese medicine identification, quality standard, Chinese medicine cultivation, harvest processing of TCM, market development and resource protection and resource management, as well as 82 widely used Chinese medicine species, such as Ginseng and Radix Astragali. One hundred and fifteen domain authority experts were selected based on the data of high-yield authors and high-cited authors. The database system platform "Skilled Scientific and Technological Personnel in the field of Traditional Chinese Medicine Resource Science-Chinese papers" was established. This platform successfully provided the retrieval result of the personnel, output of paper, and their core research team by input the study field, year, and Chinese medicine species. The investigation provides basic data of scientific and technological personnel in the field of traditional Chinese medicine resource science for administrative agencies and also evidence for the selection of scientific and technological personnel and construction of scientific research teams.

Effect of xuebijing oral effervescent tablet on endotoxin induced fever and disseminated intravascular coagulation rabbit model / 药学学报

In order to discover the mechanism of Xuebijing oral effervescent tablet (XBJOET) to treat infectious diseases, the effect of XBJOET on endotoxin induced rabbit fever and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) was investigated. Auricle microcirculation in rabbit was detected by laser speckle blood perfusion imager system; coagulation function was measured by coagulation analyzer, fibrinolytic system was quantified by Elisa assay and micro thrombosis in tissues was observed with HE staining under light microscope. The results demonstrated that the body temperature of rabbit decreased significantly at 1-3 h after administration with 4.8, 2.4 and 1.2 g x kg(-1) XBJOET to endotoxin induced DIC rabbit model, the auricle microcirculation blood flow in model group (54.45 +/- 14.53) PU was lower than that in control group (77.18 +/- 12.32) PU. The auricle microcirculation blood flow increased markedly and there was significant difference between model group and 1.2 g x kg(-1) XBJOET group. There was significant difference between model group and control group in the content of PAI1 and FIB. The PAI1 levels in model and control groups were (30.48 +/- 2.46) ng x mL(-1) and (20.93 +/- 3.25) ng x mL(-1), respectively. The FIB levels in model and control group were (3.34 +/- 1.09) g x L(-1) and (4.84 +/- 1.10) g x L(-1), respectively. The content of PAI1 in rabbit plasma decreased notably, there were significant differences between model group and 4.8, 2.4 g x kg(-1) XBJOET groups. On the contrary the content of FIB increased. XBJOET possessed pharmacological activities of curing infectious fever and DIC, the mechanism of which is related to amelioration of microcirculation disturbance, inhibition of fibrinolytic system activation and coagulation and micro thrombosis elimination.

Noncentrosymmetric inorganic open-framework chalcohalides with strong middle IR SHG and red emission: Ba3AGa5Se10Cl2 (A = Cs, Rb, K).

Novel SHG effective inorganic open-framework chalcohalides, Ba(3)AGa(5)Se(10)Cl(2) (A = Cs, Rb and K), have been synthesized by high temperature solid state reactions. These compounds crystallize in the tetragonal space group I ̅4 (No.82) with a = b = 8.7348(6) - 8.6341(7) Å, c = 15.697(3) - 15.644(2) Å, V = 1197.6(3) - 1166.2(2) Å(3) on going from Cs to K. The polar framework of (3)(∞)[Ga(5)Se(10)](5-) is constructed by nonpolar GaSe(4)(5- )tetrahedron (T1) and polar supertetrahedral cluster Ga(4)Se(10)(8-) (T2) in a zinc-blende topological structure with Ba/A cations and Cl anions residing in the tunnels. Remarkably, Ba(3)CsGa(5)Se(10)Cl(2) exhibits the strongest intensity at 2.05 µm (about 100 times that of the benchmark AgGaS(2) in the particle size of 30-46 µm) among chalcogenides, halides, and chalcohalides. Furthermore, these compounds are also the first open-framework compounds with red photoluminescent emissions. The Vienna ab initio theoretical studies analyze electronic structures and linear and nonlinear optical properties.

Effects of jin chai antiviral capsule on IFITM3 expression in mice / 药学学报

This study is to investigate the treatment of Jin Chai antiviral capsule for influenza virus FM1/47 (H1N1) infection. The model of pneumonia was established by dropping influenza virus into the nose of normal mice, real-time PCR and Western blot technique were used to detect the virus load and the interferoninducible transmembrane protein3 (IFITM3) in lung of mice at the 1st day, 3rd day, 5th day and 7th day after affected. The results showed that Jin Chai antiviral capsule in large, middle, small dose groups can decrease virus load significantly at each time point, after being affected (P<0.05, P<0.01), Jin Chai antiviral capsule can increase the interferoninducible transmembrane protein3 in lung of mice, large dose groups are significantly higher in expression of IFITM3 compared with model group at each time point (P<0.05, P<0.01). Middle dose groups are significantly higher in expression of IFITM3 compared with model group at the 3th day and the 5th day (P<0.05), small dose groups are significantly higher in expression of IFITM3 compared with model group at the 3th day (P<0.05). It can be concluded that Jin Chai antiviral capsule exerts antiviral effects against influenzavirus by raised expression of IFITM3.

Effects of yin qiaojiedu soft capsule on influenza virus load and M1 expression in mice / 药学学报

This study is to investigate the treatment of YinQiaojiedu soft capsule for influenza virus A/PR8/34 (H1N1) infection. The model of pneumonia was established by dropping influenza virus into the nose of normal mice, and the lung index and death rate were observed. Real time RT-PCR and Western blotting technique were used to detect the virus load and the relative expression of M1 protein in lungs of mice on the 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th day after infection. The results showed that YinQiaojiedu soft capsule in 1 g x kg(-1) and 0.5 g x kg(-1) dose groups can decrease the lung index significantly on the 3rd, 5th and 7th day after being infected (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), and the number of death in the two groups of animals decreased significantly. YinQiaojiedu soft capsule in 1 g x kg(-1) dose group can decreased virus load at each time point, and lower it in 0.5 g x kg(-1) dose group at the 3rd, 5th and 7th day (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). YinQiaojiedu soft capsule can decrease the relative expression of M1 protein in lungs of mice, 1 g x kg(-1) and 0.5 g x kg(-1) dose groups are significantly lower in expression of M1 protein compared with model group at the 3rd and 7th day (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). It can be concluded that YinQiaojiedu soft capsule exerts antiviral effects against influenza virus by downregulating expression of virus load and M1 protein.

Primary investigation on fumigation and moxibustion in treatment ulcer and sore of yin syndrome / 中国针灸

To explore the fumigation and moxibustion therapy in treatment of ulcer and sore of yin syndrome. The fumigation and moxibustion therapy is the combination of fumigation and moxibustion, in which, smoking fumigation is provided with warming effect and the actions as moxibustion. This therapy works on the efficacy of both fumigation and moxibustion. In treatment, different herbal medicines can be selected flexibly, acting on dispersing yin and rescuing yang. The fumigation and moxibustion therapy can drain toxin and remove ulcer and sore. It contributes to the treatment of boils and chronic sores of yin syndrome and promotes wound healing.

Pharmacodynamic experiment of the antivirus effect of Houttuynia cordata injection on influenza virus in mice / 药学学报

It is to investigate the effect of two kinds of Houttuynia Cordata Injection on preventing and treating H1N1 influenza virus infection in mice. Pneumonia model was set up by intranasal infection of the normal and immunocompromised mice with influenza virus FM1 and PR8. The two injections were administered before and after the administration of virus, separately, and the lung index was observed. The results showed that the two preparations have obvious therapeutic effect on normal mice infected with influenza virus FM1 and PR8. And to FM1, the new injection's effect is better at small dosage. The results also showed that the two preparations have obvious prophylactic effect on immunodepressed mice infected with influenza virus FM1 and PR8. And to PR8, the old injection's effect is better at small dosage. Houttuynia Cordata Injection can improve the mice pneumonia caused by influenza virus H1N1 and decrease the lung index markedly. It has a remarkable preventive and therapeutic effect on H1N1 influenza virus in mice.

Clinical observation on treatment of colonic cancer with combined treatment of chemotherapy and Chinese herbal medicine.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect of combined chemotherapy and Chinese herbal medicine in treating colonic cancer. METHODS: One hundred and sixty-three patients were assigned, according to their will, to two groups, 105 in the traditional Chinese medicine treated group (Group A) and 58 in the combined treatment group (Group B). The Chinese herbal drug Zhao's Weitiao No. 3 ( 3, ZW3) was given to both groups, twice a day, 40 mL each time, 30 days as one cycle, and over 6 cycles applied in total. For patients in Group B, the chemotherapy of OLF protocol (L-OHP+LV+5-FU) was given for 4-6 cycles. The effects of treatment on the main symptoms, tumor mass, patients' quality of life (QOL) and body weight, changes of carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA), as well as the integral effect and survival rate were observed and compared. RESULTS: The total effective rate in Group A and Group B was 89.52% and 86.21% respectively, on the main clinical symptoms; 86.67% and 93.10% on tumor mass, 82.86% and 77.59% on QOL, 85.71% and 75.86% on body weight and 76.19% and 79.31% on CEA. The integral efficacy of total beneficial rate was 73.33% and 68.97%; and the 3-year survival rate 49.52% and 46.65% in Group A and Group B. These data showed that the effect in Group A was better than in Group B in terms of clinical symptom improvement, QOL, body weight and integral beneficence increase and survival rate, though it was inferior in reducing the tumor mass and CEA level. CONCLUSION: Chinese drug ZW3 for the treatment of colonic cancer could improve the main clinical symptoms, improve the QOL, increase body weight and prolong the survival time of patients, showing a favorable integral effect.

Effects of electroacupuncture at different acupoints on FVEP in the rabbit with separated monocular optic nerve / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of acupuncture and moxibustion on the visual system and the mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-four rabbits were randomly divided into a "Hegu" (Ll 4) group and a "Taixi" (KI 3) group, 12 rabbits in each group. The rabbit model with separated monocular optic nerve was developed, cutting the link between the retina with the center, but do not injure the blood circulation in the retina. The effect of electroacupuncture on flicker vision evoked potential (FVEP) was investigated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>When the optic nerve was cut off, the distal fibers of descending regulating the retina were cut off, the FVEP of the operative eye extinguished. Elctroacupuncture at "Hegu" (LI 4) and "Taixi" (KI 3) at various stages have stronger inhibiting action on the latent time and amplitudes of N1, P1, N2 of FVEP, marked by prolongation of the latent time of peak, and obvious decrease of the amplitude. And this inhibiting action has difference of acupoints.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The distal fiber plays a certain role in the process of electroacupuncture influencing flicker electroretinogram (FERG) and FVEP, but the effect of acupuncture on FERG is induced through the distal fibers to influence the retina in a limited extent, but not through the central descending inhibition.</p>

Treatment of AIDS patients with Chinese medicinal herbs qudu zengning capsule / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the therapeutic effect of QuDu ZengNing Capsule on AIDS.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>QuDu ZengNing Capsule is a capsule containing extract from 4 Chinese medicinal herbs. Totally 1,000 AIDS patients were treated, among them 60 patients were clinically observed weekly. Blood routine tests, liver, heart and kidney function, X-ray, CD4, CD8 cells were examined before and after treatment at 1, 3, 6 month. The patients were treated with 4 capsules t.i.d for 6 months.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The symptoms were improved in most of the patients, the CD4 cells increased from 115.0 to 295.2/ul and the viral load (RNA copies/ml) in most patients reduced markedly or maintained at the same level.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>These data indicated that QuDu ZengNing Capsule was effective for treatment of AIDS patients.</p>

Experimental study on the anti-liver fibrosis effect of guzhang tablet in rats / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the anti-liver-fibrosis effect of Guzhang Tablet (GZT) and to explore its mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty female rats, weighing 200-220 g were randomly divided into the blank control group, the model group, the small dosage GZT group, the large dosage GZT group and the Biejiajian Pill (BJJP) group, 10 rats in each group. The changes of related serum enzymes, liver-fibrosis marker, oxygen free radical and liver tissue pathology were observed after 8 weeks of treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) Compared with the model group, the serum levels of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), glutamyltranspetidase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (AKP) were improved in the GZT groups, better effect was got in the large dosage GZT group. (2) Compared with the blank control group, GZT showed no effect on serum total protein (TP) but with raising albumin (ALB) effect. (3) Compared with blank control group, the levels of hyaluronidase (HA), laminin (LN), collagen type IV (IV-C) and procollagen type III (PC III) in both GZT groups were lower, especially in the large dosage GZT group. (4) Small and large dosage of GZT showed effect in reducing malonyldialdehyde (MDA), Glutathione-peroxidose(GSH-Px) and nitric oxide (NO) content, but the effect on increasing superoxide dismutase (SOD) similar to that of BJJP with no significant different. (5) GZT, both small and large dosage, had obvious anti-liver fibrosis action, which was superior to that of BJJP.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>In the genetic and developing processes of liver fibrosis in rats, GZT could protect the liver cells, inhibit the synthesis and reduce the content of collagens, the mechanism might be related with its action in antagonizing peroxidation injury, indicating that GZT could effectively prevent liver fibrosis formation.</p>